If you stir-fry vegetables in canola oil and drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over salads, you’re already loading up on healthy fats and antioxidants.
But just as runners experiment with different sports-nutrition products to optimise performance, we should experiment with different oils to optimise health and make food fun. She explains eating a variety of oils – in moderation, of course – can help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins and reduce the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
These six standbys (and potential new favourites) contain an ideal mix of healthy fats while also providing a kick of flavour.
Avocado Oil
Light, buttery avocado oil is rich in mono-unsaturated fat. Studies show decreasing saturated and trans-fat intake while increasing mono-unsaturated fat intake can lower LDL, or ‘bad cholesterol’.
It can also reduce the risk of heart disease and bone fractures. The plentiful phytochemicals found in avocado oil may lessen UV-induced cellular damage – good news for runners who log their kays in the sun.
Good pour: Avocado oil has the highest smoke point of any plant oil, making it ideal for high-heat cooking, but its mild flavour is just as delicious drizzled over finished dishes.
Canola Oil
Like avocado oil, canola is rich in heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. It has a light, neutral flavour and the least amount of saturated fat of all cooking oils, who recommends using it instead of butter and margarine.
One tablespoon contains 14% of your daily need for vitamin E, which helps reduce free-radical damage.
Vitamin E is not in a lot of fruits and vegetables. ‘So a heart-healthy source like canola oil is a good way to get it into your diet.
Good pour: Save money by buying canola oil in bulk. When stored in a cool, dark cupboard, it’s shelf-stable for about
a year, even after being opened.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Rich, slightly peppery-tasting extra-virgin olive oil (which consists mostly of mono-unsaturated fat) is minimally processed, so it retains extremely high levels of antioxidants, including vitamin E and a compound called oleocanthal.
A 2005 study published in the journal Nature found that this compound has anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen; researchers believe that eating olive oil in moderation may help reduce inflammation in the body over time.
Good pour: When exposed to light and air, antioxidants in extra-virgin olive oil can start to break down. To preserve its health benefits, store the oil in a dark glass container or tin in a cool, dark place.
Olive oil shouldn’t be heated: using olive for frying/roasting causes a degeneration in the antioxidants and other beneficial properties. Rather use cheaper canola oil in cooking.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil, which comes from the seed of the flax plant, is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of poly-unsaturated fat. In fact, it contains more inflammation-reducing omega-3s than fish oil and is one of the few vegetarian sources of the nutrient.
Research shows that eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can actually reduce the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. It can help alleviate and possibly prevent joint pain and prevent exercise-induced asthma.
Good pour: Flaxseed oil goes rancid quickly, so store it in the refrigerator. Heat diminishes its omega-3s. Use it solely in cold preparations like salad dressings.
Sesame Oil
Nutty sesame oil consists of nearly equal parts mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and may have a positive effect on both your blood sugar and blood pressure. In a 2006 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, patients with diabetes and high blood pressure used sesame oil as their sole cooking oil for 45 days. The oil reduced the participants’ blood pressure and blood sugar to nearly normal levels. The researchers believe the effect is likely due to the oil’s high level of lignans, compounds that can act as antioxidants.
Good pour: Sesame oil’s intense flavour means runners can use it sparingly. Just a little drizzle makes your food taste great while helping to keep the kilojoules down.
Walnut Oil
Aside from flaxseed oil, walnut oil is one of the few concentrated plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that omega-3s in walnuts and walnut oil help reduce cholesterol levels and the body’s biological response to stress.
People who have extreme responses to stress are at higher risk for heart disease, so eating walnuts and walnut oil may help reduce the risk factors for developing the disease.
Good pour: Opened walnut oil lasts for six to 12 months. To prevent it from going rancid, store it in the refrigerator
or in a cupboard away from heat.
How to freshen up your favourite meals with the healthiest oils
Pesto: Use avocado oil as an alternative to olive oil in pesto recipes or as dipping oil for bread.
Bread and muffins: Swap mild-tasting canola oil in place of less healthy fats like butter and margarine in recipes for quick breads and blueberry muffins.
Pizza: Drizzle fragrant, flavourful extra-virgin olive oil over grilled pizza or a tomato and ciabatta platter just before serving.
Salad dressing : Whisk together flaxseed oil, red wine vinegar and herbs for a fresh-tasting dressing. Or add a few teaspoons to smoothies.
Stir-frys : Sauté with light sesame oil; it has a high smoke point. Drizzle finished dishes with intense and smoky dark varieties.
Grilled vegetables : Brush walnut oil onto grilled vegetables for a slightly nutty flavour, or toss a few teaspoons of it into pasta or grain salad.
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